Additional Coverage:
- US Army general says the ‘future is not bright’ for towed artillery, like the M777s America gave Ukraine to fight the Russians (newsbreak.com)
In the dynamic and often unpredictable realms of modern warfare, the US Army is looking to turn a critical eye towards its artillery capabilities. It seems that traditional towed artillery, such as the M777 howitzer, might be heading towards a sunset, at least in the vision of one US Army General, Rainey. In an era where mobility and autonomy in military assets are increasingly becoming the linchpins of operational success, the recent observations and insights drawn from the ongoing war in Ukraine serve as both a lesson and a catalyst for the US Army’s push towards reimagining its artillery arsenal.
US Army General Rainey has pointedly remarked on what appears to be a dim future for towed artillery models like the M777 howitzer. His concerns signal a significant shift in the Army’s approach to land combat, focusing on the importance of evolving to meet the demands of modern warfare. This revelation underscores a broader dialogue within military circles about the types of artillery that will dominate the battlefields of tomorrow.
Rainey has been vocal about the need for the Army to pivot towards artillery options that offer both high mobility and autonomy. In envisioning future conflicts, scenarios that blend speed with the capability to operate independently hold the key to overcoming adversaries. This strategic pivot aims to ensure that the US Army remains several steps ahead in deploying forces that can outmaneuver and outperform opposition forces in a high-stakes environment.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has provided a real-time war laboratory, showcasing the undiminished importance of artillery in land combat. Observing the operational dynamics on the ground there has lent credence to the argument that while artillery remains critical, the manner in which it is deployed and its capabilities are ripe for innovation. The Ukrainian situation has illustrated a nuanced picture of artillery’s strengths and its vulnerabilities, especially under modern combat conditions which include aerial drone threats and electronic warfare elements.
Acknowledging these evolving requirements, the Army has initiated movements towards exploring and integrating highly mobile indirect-fire systems, alongside digging deeper into the potential of autonomous artillery solutions. These steps are part of a larger strategic review focused on ensuring that the Army’s artillery capabilities are not just reactive but are instead, predictive and preemptive, aligning with future warfare landscapes.
A recent comprehensive study undertaken by the Army sought to sharpen its focus on articulating future artillery needs and the direction of technological investments. The study aimed at threading through the current capabilities, emerging threats, and potential future scenarios to craft a roadmap for artillery that is robust, flexible, and capable of delivering decisive advantages.
Notably, despite the cloud of uncertainty over towed artillery like the M777 in future Army operations, its pivotal role in the Ukraine conflict cannot be overstated. The war has offered proof of the howitzer’s utility and lethality on the battlefront. The M777, among other artillery systems, forms a critical component of the military aid packages that the US and its allies have extended to Ukraine in its staunch defense against Russian aggression.
However, these engagements have also shone a spotlight on the vulnerabilities inherent within current artillery systems when faced with modern warfare tactics, notably from uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs). Drones have shown the capacity to easily target and neutralize traditional artillery setups, hence underscoring the urgent need for an artillery evolution that General Rainey and like-minded strategists are championing.
In sum, the transition underway within the US Army’s artillery capabilities reflects a broader shift towards embracing technology, mobility, and autonomy. As warfare evolves, so too must the tools and tactics, with the lessons gleaned from current conflicts such as Ukraine, serving as vital stepping stones in preparing for future engagements. The focus now is not just on meeting today’s challenges but on anticipating tomorrow’s uncertainties, further solidifying the US Army’s position as a formidable and forward-thinking force on the global stage.